Title 3: Use of Roadways

1. Vehicle Driving

Section 31

[Unless otherwise stated in Section 65 and Section 66 concerning the bus lane, use of roadways shall be in accordance with following sections.]

Section 32

[The driver shall be careful not to hit pedestrians, and may use the horn if necessary. The driver shall be especially careful with children, elderly persons and disabled persons.]

Section 33 (500B)

[When driving, the driver shall keep to the left of the road and must not drive beyond the middle of the roadway, except following situations:

a. there is obstruction on the road

b. the road is prescribed as one-way

c. the road width is less than 6m.

Section 34 (500B)

[If the road is divided into two or more traffic lanes in the same direction, the driver shall keep to the outermost left-hand side lane. If the outermost left-hand side lane is a bus lane, the driver shall keep close to the bus lane. Except following situations:

a. there is obstruction on the road

b. the road is prescribed as one-way

c. it is necessary to enter the correct lane upon approaching a junction

d. when overtaking another vehicle

e. when driving faster than vehicles in the left-hand side lane.

Section 35 (400-1000B)

The driver of a truck, passenger vehicle, motorcycle, vehicle of low speed or traveling at lower speed than those of other vehicles moving in the same direction, shall keep to the curbside of the roadway as close as possible.

If such a roadway is divided into two or more traffic lanes in the same direction or has a bus lane specifically arranged on the left-hand side, the driver shall drive the vehicle in the outermost left-hand side lane or close to the bus lane, as the case may be.

Section 36 (500B)

[When a driver is to turn the vehicle, let another vehicle to overtake, change traffic lane, reduce speed or stop the vehicle, he shall display hand signal (Section 37) or light signal (Section 38). When the condition doesn't permit the visibility of hand signals (like at night), he must use the light signal.

The driver must display the hand signal or light signal not less distance than 60m before turning the vehicle, changing traffic lane, or stopping the vehicle.

The hand signal or light signal must be visible to other drivers at not less distance than 60m.]

Section 37 (500B)

[How to make hand signals:

a. to reduce speed, …

b. to stop a vehicle, …

c. to let another vehicle pass, …

d. to turn the vehicle right, …

e. to turn the vehicle left, …]

In case that the automobile has its steering wheel at the left-hand side, the driver shall use light signals instead of hand signals.

Section 38 (500B)

The driver of an automobile or motorcycle shall display light signals as follows:

a. to stop the vehicle, …

b. to turn the vehicle or change traffic lane, …

c. to let another vehicle to overtake, the driver shall display amber light signal for turning or blinking red or amber light signal at the back and to the left of the vehicle.

Section 39 (500B)

[When two vehicles pass each other in the opposite direction, in order to avoid danger, each driver shall keep to the left-hand side of the roadway and, if necessary, reduce the speed. When the road is too narrow to pass each other, the driver of the bigger vehicle shall stop his vehicle close to the curbside and let the smaller vehicle pass. When there's an obstruction on the road, the driver on the lane with obstruction shall reduce speed or stop his vehicle to let another vehicle pass.]

Section 40

[The driver shall keep a safe distance from another vehicle in front of him. When driving up a slope, he shall be careful not to let the vehicle slide backwards and crash another vehicle.]

Section 41 (500B)

[On a one-way road, the driver must follow its direction.]

Section 42 (500B)

The driver shall keep his vehicle close to the left-hand side of a roadway divided into two ways, one for the vehicles going up and the other for the vehicles coming down, with a dividing space in the middle or with a traffic sign indicating that the roadway being divided into two ways.

Section 43 (400-1000B)

No driver shall drive the vehicle:

a. while being incompetent to drive

b. while being intoxicated by liquor or other alcoholic drinks

c. in a manner that obstructs the traffic

d. with carelessness or recklessness which may cause danger to persons or property

e. in a manner not normally practiced in driving a vehicle or while unable to see the way in front or at the back or either/both sides clearly enough for safety

f. beyond or on the line dividing traffic lanes, except upon changing lanes, turning or turning around the vehicle

g. on a footpath without sufficient cause, except a baby-carriage or wheel-chair for sick or disabled persons

h. without thinking about the safety or suffering of other persons.

Section 43-2

[The driver cannot take narcotic drugs while driving. The police are authorized to examine such suspect drivers. If the driver refuses examination (1000B), the police can detain the driver for further investigation.]

(If found guilty of taking narcotic drugs, the punishment by the Law on Narcotic Drugs is raised by 1/3, and his driver's license may be suspended for not less than six months or revoked. If the driver causes a traffic accident while on drug, the penalty may be up to 6-year imprisonment and a fine up to 120,000B. – Section 157-2)

Section 43-3

Section 43-4

[The police can send the driver who violates Section 43 a./b., or Section 43-2, to the “inquiry officer.]

Section 43-5

[In performing the duty in Section 43-2 and Section 43-3, the police officer must show the identity card that is issued according to the Land Traffic Act or Motor Car Act.]

2. Overtaking and Passing

Section 44 (500B)

A driver who wishes to overtake or pass another vehicle in the roadway with no traffic lane mark shall use sound signals loud enough to let the driver who is driving the vehicle in front know of his intention and, after the driver of the vehicle in front gives a responding signal pursuant to Section 37 c. or Section 38 c.(left blinker or corresponding hand signal), may proceed to overtake.

[When overtaking, the driver shall overtake from the right side, keep safe distance, and return to the left-hand side lane promptly.]

Section 45 (400-1000B)

No driver shall overtake another vehicle from the left-side unless:

a. the vehicle to be overtaken is making a right turn or has given a signal that he is going to make a right turn

b. the roadway is arranged with two or more traffic lanes in the same direction.]

Section 46 (400-1000B)

[The driver shall not overtake another vehicle when:

a. driving up a slope, bridge or curve, except where there is a traffic sign permitting overtaking

b. within a distance of 30m from a pedestrian crossing, junction, circle (rotary) or railroad crossing

c. the fog, rain or dust prevents visibility of 60m

d. entering a congested area or safety zone.]

Section 47 (400-1000B)

No driver of a vehicle shall drive his vehicle to overtake or pass another vehicle by, in doing so, going beyond the roadway's middle line that is marked or where there is a traffic sign indicating a danger area or an area in which carefulness is required on the roadway.

In the event of the left-hand side traffic lane is obstructed while the traffic lane on the right-hand side has sufficient space, a driver of a vehicle may avoid the obstructions by driving his vehicle beyond the roadway's middle line prescribed by the traffic officer in so far as he does not obstruct the traffic of the vehicles moving in the opposite direction.

Section 48 (400-1000B)

[No driver shall enter the bus lane in order to overtake another vehicle, except when there's an obstacle ahead or guided by a police officer.]

Section 49 (1000B)

[Upon receiving a signal for overtaking from a vehicle immediately behind, on condition that the road ahead is safe and there's no vehicle coming from the opposite direction, the driver shall display a responding signal (left blinker or corresponding hand signal) and keep the vehicle close to the left to let the vehicle behind to pass.]

3. Starting off, Turning and Turning Around Vehicles

Section 50 (1000B)

A driver who starts off a vehicle shall, upon seeing that there is a parked vehicle or obstruction ahead, display hand and arm signals pursuant to Section 37 or light signals pursuant to Section 38 and shall proceed upon seeing that it is safe and he is not obstructing the traffic of other vehicles.

Section 51 (500B)

To turn left:

a. where no traffic lanes are arranged, the driver shall keep his vehicle close on the left-hand side of the roadway

b. where traffic lanes are arranged and there is a traffic sign directing a left turn, the driver shall enter the traffic lane for vehicles to make a left turn at not less distance than 30m before the turn-way

c. where a bus lane exists on the outermost left-hand side of the roadway, the driver shall keep his vehicle close to the bus lane at not less distance than 30m before the turn-way and shall make a turn across the bus lane only at the area where there is a traffic sign permitting such turn.

To turn right:

a. on a roadway with no traffic lane, the driver shall keep his vehicle close on the right-hand (sic) side of the middle line of the roadway at not less distance than 30m before the turn-way

b. on a roadway with two and more traffic lanes in one same direction, the driver shall keep the vehicle close to the outermost right-hand side of the roadway or in the traffic lane with a traffic sign permitting a right turn at not less distance than 30m before the turn-way

c. where a bus lane exists on the outermost right-hand side of the roadway, the driver shall keep his vehicle close to the bus lane at not less distance than 30m before the turn-way and shall make a turn across the bus lane only at the area where there is a traffic sign permitting such turn

d. where a traffic officer or competent officer is displaying traffic signals by hands and arms, the driver shall make a right turn without having to round the traffic officer or competent officer

e. at a junction the driver shall allow the vehicles that travel in the same roadway but in the opposite direction to pass through the junction first and, upon seeing that it is safe, may then make a right turn.

[When making a left/right turn, the driver shall be careful for pedestrians and other vehicles. He shall not obstruct through traffic. Vehicles turning left shall give way to vehicles turning right.]

Section 52 (500B)

In a roadway that permits vehicle traffic in both directions, no driver shall turn around his vehicle at the time when another vehicle is coming in the opposite direction or following behind at not less (sic) distance than 150m.

If the turning around of a vehicle in a roadway that permits vehicle traffic in both directions will obstruct the traffic, no driver shall turn around his vehicle in such roadway.

Section 53 (400-1000B)

No driver shall:

a. turn his vehicle or turn around his vehicle in the roadway with a sign prohibiting a right turn, a left turn or a turning around of a vehicle

b. turn around his vehicle at a safety zone, critical (congested) area, on a bridge or within a distance of 100m from the bridge foot

c. turn around his vehicle at a junction, unless there is a traffic sign permitting vehicles to turn around.

4. Stopping and Parking Vehicles

Section 54 (500B)

[The driver shall display brake lamp or corresponding hand signal before he stops his vehicle in not less distance than 30m. When stopping a vehicle, he must not obstruct other traffic.

The driver shall park his vehicle parallel with and close to the curbside or road shoulder in a distance not exceeding 25cm. In case the outermost left-hand side lane is a bus lane, no person shall park his vehicle during the bus-operating hours.]

Section 55 (500B)

[The driver shall not stop his vehicle:

a. in a traffic lane, except stopping close to the curbside and that there being no bus lane there

b. on a footpath

c. on a bridge or in a tunnel

d. at a junction

e. where there is a No Parking traffic sign

f. at the entrance/exit of a building or roadway

g. in a safety zone

h. in the manner of traffic obstruction.

This does not apply when the roadway is obstructed, in case of a mechanical failure, or when the driver is complying with other traffic sign/signal.]

Section 56 (1000B)

[In case the driver must stop his vehicle in the roadway due to mechanical failure, he must move such vehicle out of the roadway as soon as possible. If it requires extended parking, the driver must park the vehicle in a non-obstructive way to other traffic, and display proper signs or signals prescribed by regulation.]

Section 57 (500B)

Unless otherwise granted by this Act or regulations, no driver shall park his vehicle:

a. on a footpath

b. on a bridge or in a tunnel

c. at a junction or within a distance of 10m from a junction

d. at a crossing or within a distance of 3m from a crossing

e. in an area where there is No Parking traffic sign

f. within a distance of 3m from a hydrant

g. within a distance of 10m from a traffic sign installation

h. within a distance of 15m from a railway crossing

i. in the manner of double parking

j. at the entrance/exit of a building or roadway or within a distance of 5m from the entrance of a roadway

k. in between a safety zone and the roadway curb, or within a distance of 10m from either end of a safety zone

l. in a critical (congested) area

m. within a distance of 15m before and 3m beyond a bus stop

n. within a distance of 3m from a pillar-box

o. in a manner that obstructs the traffic.

Section 58 (500B)

[When parking and leaving a vehicle, the driver must stop the engine and apply the brake. When parking on a slope, the driver must turn the front wheels.]

Section 59

[The police may order the driver of an illegally parked vehicle to move on. If the driver is absent on the scene, or refusing to comply [2000B and/or one-month imprisonment], the police may remove such a vehicle, or lock the tires. If any damage occurs to the vehicle during this process, the police will not be held responsible unless it's intentional or gross negligence.]

Section 60 (500B)

[When parking a vehicle outside a municipal area (countryside), the vehicle should be visible to other drivers from not less distance than 150m.]

Section 61 (500B)

[If it's dark and the vehicle parked cannot be seen clearly from a distance of 150m, the driver must turn on parking lights.]

Section 62 (500B)

At a railway crossing, the driver must stop the vehicle at not less distance than 5m from the railway tracks, if:

a. a sign or signal is displayed to indicate an approaching train

b. the crossing bar is closed or a traffic officer displays a sign of an approaching train

c. the driver hears the sound of an approaching train.

Section 63 (500B)

At a railway crossing, where there is no signal or crossing bar to warn an approaching train, the driver must stop the vehicle at not less distance than 5m from the railway tracks, to see if it's safe to pass.

Section 64 (1000B)

[When a school bus is stopping to pick up/set down students, other drivers shall reduce speed, and may pass the school bus with great care.]